Hot Smokehouse Insulate or Not?

[SmilinNSmokin]

I am finishing up a 3’ x 3’ x 8’ hot smokehouse. Base is 2 layers cinderblock filled with concrete. 6’ tall cedar tongue and groove inside and out (2 layers). Separate fire box 26” away made with bricks. Wondering for safety and more even heat distribution if I should but an insulation on the inside on the walls (either foil panels or some type of aluminum or steel over the wood). If so please recommend the product and manufacturer. I would image my heat will range from 180 - 350 degrees. I just am unsure if the cedar would potentially catch fire or not. Any suggestions or advice is appreciated….

 

[Newglide]

I'm no help, but that's a great lookin smoke house. There's alot of smart people in here who can help you out.

 

[Bigtank]

Wow nice smokehouse, I'm also waiting for the experts. What kind of wood did you build that out of? The grain is beautiful.

 

[mike243]

Looks great, I would insulate it and line the inside with something, fire rated sheetrock ect, preferably something that could stand a good washdown so I doubt sheetrock, you will probably need a smokestack to make it draw good but a test firing will tell the tale on that. No worry about starting a fire in it but having a fire box big enough to keep the temps up might be tough if you don't insulate.

 

[Up_In_Smoke]

I'm curious why you would going as high as 350 in a smoker?
Apparently you intend to cook also??

 

[SmilinNSmokin]

Wow nice smokehouse, I'm also waiting for the experts. What kind of wood did you build that out of? The grain is beautiful.

I purchased rough cut cedar. Then ripped it in half and planed it to dimension. I enjoy cedar because of its resistance to rot and also bug resistant. Then I laid out the boards to look the way I wanted them to to give the exterior a nice look and design by mixing things up.

 

[SmilinNSmokin]

I'm curious why you would going as high as 350 in a smoker?
Apparently you intend to cook also??

I have a cold smoker for adding smoke flavor. The hot smoker is going to be for slow cooking.

 

[SmilinNSmokin]

Looks great, I would insulate it and line the inside with something, fire rated sheetrock ect, preferably something that could stand a good washdown so I doubt sheetrock, you will probably need a smokestack to make it draw good but a test firing will tell the tale on that. No worry about starting a fire in it but having a fire box big enough to keep the temps up might be tough if you don't insulate.

Thank you! My firebox is 28” x 28” inside before adding fire bricks, and is 6 bricks tall. I plan i’m putting vents both in front and back to help with the draw. And my firebox ash damper door is 15 1/2” wide.

 

[indaswamp]

Wood smokehouse will not be able to handle 350*F. The wood will degrade, dry out, and the potential to catch fire is high. Highest temp. I would recommend would be 275*F.

 

[SmokinEdge]

Very nice build. Depending on the size of the firebox and the pipe connection to the house, I doubt you will ever see 300 inside the house. I have a propane burner in the bottom of mine so I can get up into the 250 range if I want in the summer but not in winter.

As for insulation, I wish I would have insulated mine mostly because I live in the high country of Colorado and it gets cold here in winter. You mentioned in your build using T&G inside and out, so I’m assuming you have an air gap between the framing studs? If so that is probably sufficient.

If trying to go higher bbq temps then lining the inside is a good idea. I used Hardi-Backer cement board on the lower half of mine, I wish I would have done the upper half as well but didn’t. You could also use metal like Pro- Panel but I would use the bare metal like they use for rusty roofs.

 

[SmilinNSmokin]

Wood smokehouse will not be able to handle 350*F. The wood will degrade, dry out, and the potential to catch fire is high. Highest temp. I would recommend would be 275*F.

Thank you. Helpful to know. Still learning…. :)

 

[Up_In_Smoke]

Wood smokehouse will not be able to handle 350*F. The wood will degrade, dry out, and the potential to catch fire is high. Highest temp. I would recommend would be 275*F.

Exactly the point I was trying to make if I got the chance.

 

[Winterrider]

Beautiful looking smokehouse. As mentioned, I doubt you would be able to achieve that high of temps.
I know I would have lumps all over my head from goofing around under that slant roof

 

[SmilinNSmokin]

Beautiful looking smokehouse. As mentioned, I doubt you would be able to achieve that high of temps.
I know I would have lumps all over my head from goofing around under that slant roof

Knock on wood I have yet to hit my head….but that day is soon coming I would bet. Roof is steep because of the winters in Idaho. I have built both a hot and cold smokehouse and they are closer together than I had estimated. I should be fine cooking just under 200 degrees. It is a new endeavor for me…